China Bans George Orwell Novel '1984' In Massive Censorship Clampdown

Leader Xi Jinping's plans to remain a dictator indefinitely

The Chinese government has issued a ban on George Orwell's classic novels, 1984 and Animal farm in a massive online censorship clampdown.

Experts and critics suggest that the crackdown is part of leader Xi Jinping's plans to remain a dictator indefinitely, but has also been met with huge criticism around the world.

The China Digital Times reported that Beijing's National People's Conference compiled a list of proposals or censorship with included the letter 'n' and George Orwell's novels 'Animal Farm' and '1984, along with the phrase 'Xi Zedong', which is a combination of Mr. Xi and former dictator Chairman Mao Zedong's names.

The Evening Standard reports: It is not entirely clear why the letter 'n' was briefly banned, just one among hundreds of words and phrases, although some speculate it could be considered a sign of dissent.

Charlie Smith, co-founder of GreatFire.org, which helps users track and bypass Chinese censorship, told The Guardian: “[Censors] probably determined it was sensitive and then moved to add that content to the blacklist so others would not be able to post something similar,” he said, noting that the seditious symbol had now been emancipated.

“I doubt that they actually put that much thought into it so sadly, the letter ‘N’ was a victim of this rash decision.”

Censors also banned images of Winnie the Pooh after dissenters shared images of the cartoon bear hugging a jar of honey alongside the quote: "Find the thing you love and stick with it."

The Disney bear's image has been compared to President Xi Jinping, prompting periodic blocks on the use of Pooh pictures online.

Mr Xi's rule has been characterised by a relentless crackdown on critics and independent civil society voices such as lawyers netted in a sweeping crackdown on legal activists that began in July 2015.

Joseph Cheng, a long-time observer of Chinese politics now retired from the City University of Hong Kong, said that following the passage of the constitutional amendment: "There will be even less tolerance of criticism."